UTI or cystitis ?

I've certainly found that if I'm in any way even slightly dehydrated that can cause an attack, and when you're out for the day this can easily happen. As you say goldengirl lots of towns, including tourist destinations, are closing public toilets, so it isn't always a good idea to drink lots of fluid!

I was once told that 'holding on' can cause UTIs and bladder infections and these are increasing because of public toilet closures.

I always pass blood when I have a UTI and need antibiotics to clear the infection. Nothing else works for me. You're right, Yummygran, it makes you feel very ill for quite a few days. I now don't drink any caffeine at all and this has definitely made a difference to the frequency of my UTIs. However, I also have a kidney stone and a urinary consultant explained to me that this could cause frequent UTIs, as it harbours bacteria. Thankfully, it's a year since I last had an infection.

That condition is indeed gruesome TriciaF

There's the other type too, connected to post menopausal vaginal atrophy (doesn't that sound gruesome!) But that can be treated with a local dose of oestrogen - there's a thread about it on here somewhere.

It seems many of us ladies suffer this, often, quite debilitating condition. I have for most of my life. It makes you feel really ill, which I think non-sufferers often don't understand, they think it just a question of having to wee more often. But when you get it to the point of passing blood then it is excruciating!

I have always taken antibiotics, and on one occasion, though prescribed my usual tablets, the condition deteriorated to the point I was rushed to hospital with septicaemia. It seems the antibiotics were the wrong ones in this instance.

I have almost completely stopped drinking coffee and alcohol and found that I suffer less frequently. I always drink lots of water if I have the slightest twinge. I've never found over the counter remedies really work for me. And I've drunk so much cranberry juice in the past I hate it!

In the meantime, plenty of water - frequently - a HWB for the pain and Ibuprofen which helps with the bladder inflammation. In the absence of d-mannose, she will definitely need an antibiotic. But the Kilmartin book was my bible for years - she recommends various practices such as bottle-washing after opening bowels, cotton underwear, avoiding tight clothing, weeing after sex, etc. Should be required reading for all women.

I never found cranberry juice was in the least helpful for me. I've said it before in another thread but the ONLY thing I found that works apart from antibiotics is D-Mannose (which is actually found in cranberry but you'd need rather a lot to be effective - d-mannose is a pure plant sugar but NOT ordinary sugar)
. It adheres to the e-coli bacteria in the bladder, preventing them stick to the bladder wall. Then you flush them out. No resistance, no side-effects. It works, but it's not cheap and you have to get it online. I never go anywhere without a little bag of white powder and I take a spoonful twice a day in water as a preventative because I've always been prone to getting UTIs.

Cytospurin won't disable bacteria, just make the symptoms more bearable temporarily.

I recommend this book:

The Patient's Encyclopaedia of Cystitis, Sexual Cystitis, Interstitial Cystitis by Angela Kilmartin

as an excellent guide to good bladder hygiene and practice, but I would highly recommend trying d-mannose. It works for infections caused by e-coli, which most UTIs are.

A continence nurse can advise on persistent UTI (cystitis is the lay term they are both the same). It may be due to incomplete emptying of the bladder and residual urine becoming stale- there may be a mechanical cause for this which needs investigation.

Cranberry juice works by disabling the cell wall of the bacteria and so for some people a regime of daily cranberry juice is the way to go but far less of it than you might think- 1 small glass a day not a gallon! I have seen people knocking back glass after glass!

Antibiotics may not be indicated and in fact may make matters worse in persistent infections due to mechanical problems. I would aks the Gp for a referral if the problem is persistent.

If it is an infection cranberry juice will help but antibiotics is the way to go. I used to be a martyr to it (The worst time was when I was up all night one Christmas Eve and waiting at the surgery door first thing Christmas morning!) I had all sorts of investigations and no reason was ever found and eventually it stopped. I agree with glammanana that it is really helpful if the GP will give her a prescription "in case" If you get many of these infections you know instantly when one is starting up.

Some years ago now... My G.P. advised me to drink lots and lots of water ( to flush out the kidneys) It works in my case.

I find taking Cystopurin (over the counter from any chemist), at the first hint of trouble, usually stops the problem pretty quickly if it's not a bad infection.
Dissolve the crystals in the recommended amount of water and drink.
I also try to empty bladder as per glammanana.

I suffer a lot with UTI's and always have a prescription for antibotic's just in case I feel the start of it again,the trick is to try and empty the bladder as much as possible and a good way to do it is to sit on the loo and gently rock back and forth (it sounds daft but it works) it will dispel the very last of the urine,as urine does stay in the bladder after we have been and does stagnate causing infection if you are not careful,Cranberry tablets are better than juice and continue taking them for a month after the problem has gone.

For cystitis Chemist can provide sachets... can't recall the name but Chemist would know.... helped immensely within a day.

For UTI... doc might need to prescribe.

Remember I had it when first married , was known as the^ honeymoon disease^.

Doc gave me cream and it cleared up !

Painful urination should never be taken lightly.
If it is an infection it can spread to the kidneys which can produce a lower back pain, and have serious consequences.
I've had UTIs many times and the Doc. prescribes antibiotics before the test results come back.
Cranberry juice might help , plus pints of water and strong tea, but if it's a bacterial infection she needs antibiotics.